Sorry I haven't posted in a while, been busy with work and also with FTH stuff. Luckily we're seeing some progress with FTH.
For those who don't know, Free the Hops is a grassroots organization in Alabama that is working to bring world-class craft and gourmet beers to Alabama. Currently beer is capped at 6% alcohol by volume, shutting out many of the great beers out there. When compared to he limits for wine (14.9% for table wine, higher for fortified) and liquor (what limit?) this is seen to be a patently ludicrous law.
That's close to becoming less ludicrous.
FTH introduced HB196 this year to raise the allowable ABV of beer to 13.9% and it passed the Alabama House by a narrow margin almost two months ago. Since then the Senate has been tied up with infighting, but as we near the end of the session they've gotten back to work. With politics nothing is guaranteed, but it looks very likely that HB196 will be going up for a vote in the Senate this Thursday. This is the farthest that this bill has gotten in the course of the three years that FTH has been pushing it, and we are optimistic that we can get it passed, but we need your help.
Whether you appreciate good beer and want to see it brought to Alabama, or are just a big fan of consumer choice, I'd like to ask you to contact your senator. The more people they hear from, the more likely they are to vote in favor of this bill. At the very least, if they know there is good support for it in their district they won't vehemently oppose it. You can go to this site and enter your zip code to find out who your senator is. The best bet to reach them is their phone number in Montgomery. It only takes a minute or two, needing nothing more complex than:
"My name is (your name) and I'm calling to let Senator (senator name) know that I support HB196, The Gourmet Beer Bill. I would like him/her to vote Yes on this bill. Thank you for your time. Have a pleasant day."
If you'd like to learn more about this effort you can visit the FTH website. Thanks in advance for your help, and hopefully one of these days I can jump back in a game with some of you.
Before HB196 went up for a
Before HB196 went up for a vote in the house I contacted both my representative and senator. My rep is Butch Taylor and my Senator is Parker Griffith. Both replied (email) with personal and favorable responses. I encourage everyone to do the same. It takes a total investment of about 5 minutes. Look up their email addresses, ask them to support HB196, and give your address so they know you are a voter from their district. No need for flowery wording and arguments. They've heard them all. Just let them know you're part of their electorate and you want them to support HB196.
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